Tantalizer 463: Benchwork

The notice in the magistrates retiring room at Bulchester court reads baldly, “Monday: Smith, Brown, Robinson”. These are the surnames of next Monday’s bench, which will, as always, include at least one man and one married woman. All male magistrates at Bulchester happen to be married. These facts are known to all magistrates.

The court being a large and new amalgamation, Smith, Brown and Robinson know nothing about each other. But Smith, on being told the sex of Brown, could deduce the sex of Robinson and the marital status of both. And Robinson, being told only that Smith could do this, could deduce the sex and marital status of Smith and Brown.